There are two ways to generate electricity directly from the sun: solar thermal power, and solar photovoltaic. Both have their advantages, and the cost of both is falling. Solar thermal power (also known as “concentrating solar power” or CSP) is currently cheaper, and can generate electricity into the night by storing heat. Whereas photovoltaic panels can be used anywhere, solar thermal power only works in areas with plenty of direct sunshine. Solar thermal power stations use mirrors to concentrate the sun’s heat, boil water and drive a conventional steam turbine. Solar thermal electricity has been generated on a modest scale for more than 20 years in California’s Mojave Desert, and the technology has worked without problems. New power stations have recently been built in Spain and Nevada, with more in planning or under construction. The Australian-American company Ausra, which recently established itself in Silicon Valley, has signed agreements to produce 1,000 MW of electricity for two major US utilities. Spain is building up its solar thermal power industry with a special feed-in tariff. India has recently announced plans for initial incentives to encourage the development of CSP there. Pictured below is a solar thermal power station which opened in 2007 outside Seville, Spain. Studies in the US have calculated that if an area in the Southwestern United States 92 miles by 92 miles square were to be covered with solar thermal power stations, it would produce as much electricity as the entire US produces today. Naturally, the power stations do not all have to be built in one location, and not all of a country’s power needs to come from one technology. The best place for generating solar thermal power is dry regions which have little cloud cover, as the power stations need direct sunshine. Best of all are deserts, which have the advantage that there is plenty of land that is not being used for other purposes…

Download Solar thermal power stations.Pdf